Leave of absenceIt was ordered that the leave of absence granted to the Viscount Boyd of Merton be terminated.

Judicial Business

2.

Curtis (Respondent) v. Chairman of the London Rent Assessment Committee (Petitioner) and othersUpon application by the petitioner (the agents for the respondent consenting thereto) it was ordered that the petition be withdrawn and that the petitioner do pay to the respondent the costs of the petition the amount thereof to certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

3.

Regina v. Collins and Pathfinder Mental Health Services NHS Trust and others (Petitioners) ex parte S (Respondent)Upon application by the petitioners (the agents for the respondent consenting thereto) it was ordered that the petition be withdrawn; that the costs of the respondent be taxed in accordance with the Legal Aid Act 1988; and that the first and second petitioners do pay to the respondent the costs of the petition, the amount thereof to certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

4.

St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust (Petitioners) v. S (Respondent)Upon application by the petitioners (the agents for the respondent consenting thereto) it was ordered that the petition be withdrawn; that the costs of the respondent be taxed in accordance with the Legal Aid Act 1988; and that the petitioners do pay to the respondent the costs of the petition, the amount thereof to certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

5.

Harries (A.P.) (Appellant) v. Barclays Bank plc (Respondents)The appeal was set down for hearing and referred to an Appellate Committee.

6.

Appeal CommitteeThe 14th Report was made; the Appeal Committee reported that they had met and had heard Counsel; the Report was agreed to and the following Order was made:

Regina v. Bartle and the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and others (Appellants) ex parte Pinochet (Respondent) (On Appeal from a Divisional Court of the Queens Bench Division)

Regina v. Evans and another and the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and others (Appellants) ex parte Pinochet (Respondent) (On Appeal from a Divisional Court of the Queens Bench Division)

That the petition of Amnesty International and others that they might be heard or otherwise intervene in the said appeal be allowed and that they may have leave to lodge written argument and be heard; that the petition of Human Rights Watch be allowed subject to written argument only; and that the petition of the Republic of Chile be allowed on the same terms as Amnesty International subject to their written arguments being lodged with the other parties by 10.00 pm on Thursday 14th January.

Page 87

1998-99

Volume 232

Command PapersThe following papers were presented to the House by command of Her Majesty and ordered to lie on the Table:

1.

European CommunitiesEurope Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States and Estonia including Protocols with Exchange of Letters, Declarations and Final Act;

Social SecurityReport by the Government Actuary on the drafts of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 1999 and the Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Fund Payments) Order 1999.

(4199)

8.

Affirmative InstrumentsThe following instruments were laid before the House for approval by resolution and ordered to lie on the Table:

1.

Draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 1999;

2.

Draft Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Fund Payments) Order 1999;

3.

Draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 1999.

9.

Negative InstrumentsThe following instruments were laid before the House and ordered to lie on the Table:

Delegated Powers and DeregulationThe following report from the Select Committee was made and ordered to be printed:

5th Report, on the following bills:

Access to Justice Bill [HL];

Freedom of Information Bill [HL];

Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) (Amendment) Bill [HL]. (HL Paper 17)

Public Business

11.

Access to Justice Bill [HL]It was moved by the Lord Chancellor that it be an instruction to the Committee of the Whole House to whom the Access to Justice Bill [HL] has been committed that they consider the bill in the following order:

HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa (Short debate)It was moved by the Earl of Sandwich that there be laid before the House papers relating to the case for an adequate contribution to the control and prevention of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa; after debate, the motion was (by leave of the House) withdrawn.

13.

Leisure activities (Short debate)It was moved by the Lord Walpole that there be laid before the House papers relating to increased time for leisure activities and the pressures and problems this causes; after debate, the motion was (by leave of the House) withdrawn.

14.

Hospital disciplinary proceduresThe Baroness Knight of Collingtree asked Her Majestys Government whether they will consider the case for changes in the procedure to deal with alleged disciplinary misdemeanours by hospital doctors or consultants, particularly to speed up the process; after debate, the question was answered by the Baroness Hayman.

The House was adjourned at eight minutes before nine oclock
till tomorrow, three oclock.